Apparatus for parking vehicles in vertically arranged pairs



June H, 1968 J. O. FISHER, SR., ETAL 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 3,. 1967M r. ,nw/ Sm H el am h/.N H .shdw awww .0.5, Z @E of W, www JRCY B 00i/w @v 1.r.L.. 2J! m 2 1..|| am .u MM2 TAIAIIZW 4f i Jun@ H, 1968 J. o.FiSHER, SR.. ETAL 3,387,722

APPARATUS FOR PARKING VEHICLES IN VERTICALLY ARRANGED PAIRS 4Sheets-Shea?l FiledMay 5, 1967 arf;

James O. Fisher, Sr. Raymond O/hilleg ns s@ @n M? B2 E 5% @M mg June M,i968 J. o. HSI-IER, SR.. ETAL 3,387,722

APPARATUS FOR PARKING VEHICLES IN VERTICALLY ARRANGED PAIRS 4Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 5, 1967 James O F 1511er', Sr.

Raymond QWhi-Heg CharlesEBiddle, 5I:

@ON QON @mk NON .W

vom mow--- June El, `w68 J. O. FISHER, SR., ETAL APPARATUS FOR PARKINGVEHICLES IN VERTICALLY ARRANGED PAIRs 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 3, 1967n 3 Wm,

nlml Z James OkFjshenSf: Raymond C Whl'leg Charles EBiddlE, Si?

JNVENTORS iiit AESTRAKCT @F THE DISCLSURE Vehicle parking apparatuscomprises a frame enclosing a platform support receiving a firstvehicle. Vertical guide means are positioned at the front end of theframe and cooperating slide means on the front of the vehicle support.Reversible lift means are connected to the support intermediate its endsfor elevating the support and the lirst vehicle to an elevationpermitting driving a second vehicle beneath the elevated support.

This application is a continuation in part of the application of lamesO. Fisher et al., Ser. No. 553,766, filed May 31, 1966.

This invention relates to apparatus for parking automobiles and othervehicles in vertically arranged pairs.

In many high-ceilinged garages and other parking areas the opportunityis afforded of parking vehicles one above the other, thereby doublingthe storage capacity of the garage. Various expedients have been devisedheretofore for taking advantage of this opportunity, but all haveinvolved the application of equipment so costly and complicated as to beeconomically unattractive.

It accordingly is the general object of the present invention to provideapparatus for parking vehicles in vertically arranged pairs, whichapparatus is simple in construction, easy and safe to operate, andsufliciently low in cost to be economically attractive to the averagegarage and parking space proprietor.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of the herein described apparatus forparking vehicles in vertically arranged pairs, illustrating a vehicle inboth its loading and stored position;

FIG. 2 is a view in front elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detail sectional view taken along line 3 3 of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are detail sectional views taken respectively along lines4 4 and 5--5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a detail sectional view similar to FIG. 3, but indicating aframe construction for mounting two of the parking units in side by sidearrangement;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation and FIG. 8 a fragmentary plan view of ourapparatus in a second embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a detail fragmentary view and FIG. 10 a detail transversesection taken along lines 9-9 and 10-1tl, respectively, of FIG. 8;

FIG. 1l is a front elevation of the apparatus of FIGS. 7 and `8;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are detail fragmentary views in side and frontelevation, respectively, FIG. 12 being taken along line 12-12 of FIG.11;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are fragmentary views in plan and side elevation,respectively, illustrating chock means employed in the apparatus; and

FIGS. 16 and 17 are views of the hydraulic circuit used rates ant in theapparatus, FIG. 16 being a sectional view of a novel valve included inthe circuit.

Broadly stated, the vehicle parking apparatus of our invention comprisesa ramp or other platform dimensioned to receive the vehicle. Verticalguide means are stationed at the front end of the platform. Slide meansare mounted on the front of the platform and arranged for verticalreciprocation in the guide means.

Fluid-operated cylinders or other reversible elevating means areconnected to the platform intermediate its ends for elevating theplatform, and a first vehicle mounted thereon, to an elevationpermitting driving a second vehicle beneath the platform. The elevatingmeans then maintains the platform and the vehicle which it supports inthe elevated position until such time as it is desired to lower thevehicle to its unloading position. The potential storage space presentin a garage or parking structure thus is doubled.

Considering the foregoing in greater detail and with particularreference to the drawings:

The apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 6 The herein described vehicle parkingapparatus is supported on a frame which may comprise two spaced pairs oftwo spaced angle irons 10, the angle iron pairs being arranged on thefloor parallel to each other and spaced horizontally a suiiicientdistance to accommodate the vehicles to be parked and the componentangle irons of each pair being spaced sufficiently from each other tobrace the vertical components of the apparatus.

The first vertical components comprise two pairs of verticallypositioned, spaced channel irons 12 arranged facing each other, as shownin FIG. 3. As will appear hereinafter, these pairs of channel ironsserve as guideways. Each pair is provided with lower combination braceand stop plates 16 and upper combination brace and stop plates 18,spanning the gaps between the channel irons.

The second vertical components of the frame comprise posts 20, spacedinwardly from channel irons 12 a distance which bears a relation to thecenter of gravity of a vehicle to 4be parked on the apparatus, placingthe center of gravity of the vehicle slightly behind the posts. Thispermits opening the vehicle doors. It also makes possible elevating thevehicle through a cantilever eifect, as will appear hereinafter.

The vertical components of the frame are interconnected and 'braced byangle irons 1t), upper horizontal structural members 22, upper diagonalmembers 26 and lower diagonal members 28.

The frame thus described supports the vertically movable platform onwhich the vehicle is supported and stored.

In the illustrated form of the invention, the platform comprises a pairof parallel ramp members Sil, each channel-shaped in cross section andeach provided at its forward end with a vehicle stop 32. As seen in FIG.1, the rearward end is beveled at 34 so that the beveled surface restsflush against the floor when the ramp members are in their inclined,loading position.

Slide means are provided for mounting the forward ends of ramp members30 slidably in guide members 12.

To this end, the forward end of each of the ramp members is providedwith a laterally extending abutment bar 36, FIG. 3, to the outer end ofwhich is iXed a slide block 4i?, dimensioned for sliding reception inthe guideway formed by opposed channel members 12. If desired, the slideblock and guideway may be sized relative to each other so that two slideblocks can work in a single guideway, FIG. 6r. This permits arrangementof the parking units in a desirable consolidated, side by side, spacesaving pattern.

As the ramp member moves up and down, abutment bar 36 strikes againststop plate 16 in rthe down position and 3 against stop plate 1S in theup position, thus determining the degree of elevation of the rampmember.

To facilitate the elevation of the platform members and to secure themin their spaced, parallel positions, they are mounted on a framesubassembly, the construction of which is seen in FIG. 2.

This sub-assembly includes a pair of spaced, transverse box beams orother suitable structural members 42 and a pair of linking, longitudinalbox beams or similar structural members 44. The rearward ends oflongitudinal earns 44 are formed with apertures 46 which afford means ofconnecting a power source to ramp members 30..

Although the ramp members may be reciprocated between lowered andelevated positions through the agency of power sources such as cabledrives, rack drives, and various other means, it is preferred toaccomplish this by means of a pair of elongated fluid-operated cylinders50. These may be single-acting, hydraulic or air cylinders. They areprovided with elongated piston rods 52.

To mount each cylinder in its operative position, on one side of theapparatus, coupled directly to the corresponding one of ramp -members3d, there are fixed to the upper ends of posts 20 a pair of inwardlyextending horizontal plates 54.

Each of plates 54 has transversely therethrough an opening 56dimensioned to accommodate piston rod 52 of the cylinder, FIG. 5. Aconvexly arcuate bearing pad 6l) is fixed to the lower end of cylinderSi) being thus interposed between the adjacent faces of the cylinder andplate 54.

Coupling means are provided for coupling the outer ends of piston rods52 to the frame sub-assembly supporting ramp members 30. A pivotalcoupling of simple, yet durable construction, is shown in FlG. 4.

The lower end of each of piston rods 52 mounts a transverse bearing 62.A pint is pressed into aligned openings 65 in the side walls of box beam44 and is journalled in the bearing, supporting the load.

As the ramp members are moved between the full and dotted line positionsof FIG. l, their necessary angular movement is accommodated by thepivotal connections thus provided. This angular movement is accompaniedby a correspondingr angular movement of cylinders 50, as iudicated alsoin dotted outline in FIG. 1 (which, in turn, is accommodated by theaction of arcuate bearing pads 60 interposed between the cylinder endsand the supporting structure).

It is to be noted further that arranging platform members 3) in rampposition through the use of stop plates i6 makes posible the utilizationof cylinders 50 of relatively short stroke, thus reducing their cost.

Operation of the apparatus of FIGS. I l 6 A car is driven on platformmembers 30 in their lowered ramp position of FIG. 1. After the car isfully loaded, it is blocked appropriately to maintain its loadedposition. The piston rods 52 of cylinder 56 are retracted. Since thepiston rods are coupled to the platform members at a location determinedby the location of posts 52, ahead of the center of gravity of thevehicle, the forward end of the platform elevates first.

The front end of the vehicle thus is lifted to the upper, dotted lineposition of FIG. 1, the extent of elevation being determined by abutmentof abutment bars 36 against stop plates 18. Thereafter the rear end ofthe vehicle is cantilevered to the upper dotted line position of FIG. 1,with expenditure of a minimum of energy.

As the platform members and vehicle are lifted, the necessary angularadjustment of the lifting elements of the apparatus is made first, bythe action of pivotal couplings including pivot pins 64 and second byadjustment of arcuate bearing pads 66 in their sockets.

Space now is afforded for driving a second vehicle below the elevatedfirst vehicle, utilizing the available parking area to maximumadvantage. The capacity of a restricted storage space thus is doubled.

The apparatus of FIGS. 7 to 17 Base members 7l] mount forward andrearward vertical posts 72, 74.

Forward posts 72 comprise I-beams of substantial strength and ofsuicient height to permit the desired vertical storage of two vehicles.

Rearward posts 74 comprise box beams positioned between the ends of basemembers 7d and having a height substantially equal to the height ofI-beams 72.

Posts 72, 74 are braced by horizontal braces 76 and diagonal braces 7 S.

The lower intermediate portions of I-beams 72 mount stop plates 80.Their upper portions mount stop plates 82 interconnected by bolts 84.

The tops of box beams 74 mount transverse plates 86 which overhang thebeams on both sides. The overhanging portions of the plates havetransverse perforations 88 and mount pads 90, side by side.

The frame thus described supports the vertically reciprocable platformon which the upper vehicle is supported and stored.

As illustrated, the platform comprises a pair of substantial channelmembers 92 spaced from and parallel to each other. Members 92 areinterconnected and braced by heavy tubes 94.

The channel members 92 and tubes 94 support a pair of spaced paralleltracks or ramp members 96 which receive the wheels of the vehicle to be.stored.

The rearward ends of ramp members 96 are flared outwardly to receive thevehicle Wheels and are provided with slides ,98 which bear against andslide along the Hoor. The side walls of the ramp members are providedwith ared flanges 10d. The forward ends of the ramp mem- -bers areclosed with slanting stops 102.

The ramp :members are secured to cross tubes 914 by means which permitthe adjustment of the ramp members laterally to accommodate vehicles ofvarious lateral wheel spacing.y Such means comprise straps 104, FIG. l5,bolted to the underside of ramp members 96 and to the outside of stopplates 1.62. Lateral adjustment is made by releasing bolts 166, 108,shifting the ramp members to the desired spacing, and tightening thebolts.

The entire platform assembly is mounted for vertical reciprocation Onthe stationary frame described above in which it nests. The mountingmeans comprise C-shaped slides 110, FIG. 14, which engage the flanges ofI-beams 72. The slides `are connected to the outer faces of channelframe members 92 by pivot pins 1l2.

The platform assembly is raised and lowered by a suitable reciprocatingldrive which may comprise a pair' of long, single-acting hydrauliccylinders 120, FIG. 11. The cylinders are mounted endwise on crossplates 86 supported by posts 74. Their piston rods 121 extend throughopenings 8S in the cross plates. The lower ends of the piston rods areprovided with blocks l2?. which mount pivot pins 124 by means of whichthe ends of the piston rods are connected to channel members 92.

Since cylinders 124i move angularly during operation of the apparatus,their lower ends engage pairs of aligned bearings .1.26 mounted on pads99. Short bars 128 stabilize the cylinders. The lower ends of the barsare welded to the ends of plates 86. Their upper ends are provided withhorizontal slots 130. These receive bolts 132 threaded into the cases ofcylinders 120. Clearance thus is provided to accommodate the angularrocking movement of the cylinders.

The hydraulic circuit operating cylinders is illustrated in FIG. 17.

Pump conduit 149 supplies hydraulic fluid under pressure to a speciallydesigned valve 142, operated by a control rod 144. When the control rodis adjusted to the open position of the valve, fluid is passed throughconduit 146 and branch conduits 148 to the working sides of the pistonscontained in cylinders 120. As the pistons retract, elevating theplatform, the fluid from behind the pistons is discharged through branchlines 150, connecting line 152, and return line 154 which communicateswith the pump reservoir.

A constricting valve 156 is present in return line 154. lt pressurizesthe fluid contained in a line 158 Which also communicates with valve142.

Valve 142, FIGS. 16 and 17, functions to prevent inadvertent lowering ofthe upper vehicle when another vehicle is in position immediately below.

To this end a mounting bracket 159 is xed between longitudinal framemember 76 and plate 86. The bracket mounts a long guide tube 160 whichreceives and guides rod 144 which operates valve 142. The inner end ofrod 144 connects centrally to a cross piece 162. One end of the crosspiece is connected through a link 164 to a crank 166. The crank operatesan angular lever 168 housed and guided in a vertical guide 170. A coilspring 172 interconnects the guide and the crank.

The lower end of angular lever 168 swings in the arc indicated in FIG.8, against the tension of spring 172. If there is a vehicle in the lowerspace, it will intercept the lever, arresting its motion. No actuationof valve 142 thereupon will occur.

However, if no vehicle is present and the lever cornpletes its fullswing, cross piece 162 engages a nut 176 adjustably threaded on theshank of valve-operating lever 178. The valve operating lever is fittedwith a stop 180 which limits the advanced position of rod 144. Itsforward end pivotally is connected to one end of a crank 182, the otherend of which is fixed to an outwardly projecting end of valve core 184.

Core 184 rotatably is mounted in a valve block 186 and is sealed bymeans of O-rings 188, 190. It is cross bored with openings 192, 194which are substantially at right angles to each other. It also isprovided with a detent depression 196 at its lower end.

Valve block 186 has a first passageway 198 which registers with valvecore opening 192 and a second passageway 200 which registers with valvecore opening 194. One end of passageway 198 connects to conduit 140leading to the pump. The other end of passageway 198 merges withpassageway 200 adjacent the end of the latter which connects withconduit 146 leading to cylinders 120. The other end of passageway 260connects with conduit 158 which returns fluid to the reservoir throughconstrictor valve 156.

Block 186 also is provided with a radial recess 202 and with aconnecting passageway 205 which interconnects the recess and passageway200.

The outer end of recess 202 is sealed with a plug 204. A piston 206works in the recess and operates a ball check 208. The latter seats indetent opening 196 when pressure is applied behind the piston. Pressurethus is applied, locking the valve in its open position, when controlrod 144 is moved by the operator to its extreme closed position.

To operate the valve, rod 144 is fully advanced to rotate valve core 184until conduit 19S is open. Fluid under pressure is supplied throughlines 140, conduit 198, and line 146 to the cylinders, retracting themand elevating the vehicle. Upon retracting rod 144 to its fullyretracted position, which is possible if a second vehicle is not presentin the lower station, valve core 184 is adjusted to its FIG. 16position.

Fluid now flows under the pressure generated by the weight of thevehicle through conduit 146, conduit 200, and conduit 158 back to thereservoir. However, because of the inclusion of constrictor valve 156 inthe return line, pressure is built up in connecting passageway 205 andre- 6 cess 202. This advances piston 206, presses ball check 208 intodetent 196 and locks the valve.

When the vehicle is fully lowered, the ow of fluid through return line158 ceases. The pressure in recess 202 is relieved. Ball check 208 nolonger is pressed into recess 196. The valve accordingly is ready forsubsequent actuation when it is desired to elevate another vehicle.

rTwo more safeguards are present for insuring safe operation of theapparatus: one, automatic chock means for releasably securing thevehicle in its loaded position on ramp member 96; and the other,releasable latch means for latching the platform and ramp members intheir elevated position.

The automatic chock means present in each of the ramp members, FIG. 14,comprises a chock plate 210 having a downwardly-angled bearing segment212 adapted to bear against the rear surface of the front wheel tire.The rear end of the chock plate is rigid to a sleeve 214 which is fixedto a rock shaft 216.

Rock shaft 216 is journaled in the opposite side walls of ramp member96. lts inner end is fastened to a connector 218 which connects it witha similar rock shaft in the companion ramp member.

Chock member 210 is designed to move angularly between the elevatedsolid line and depressed dotted line positions of FIG. l5. Its elevationis limited by suitable restraint means, such as limit rod 220 whichpenetrates an opening 222 of restricted size in the bottom of the rampmember.

The upper end of limit rod 220 pivotally is connected to the undersideof chock plate 210 by means of a pivot pin 224. The lower end of thelimit rod is threaded and mounts lock nuts 226, the adjustment of whichdetermines the stroke of the limit rod.

Rock shaft 216 mounts a crank 228 which pivotally is connected throughpin 230 to a connecting bar 232. A coil spring 234 interconnects pin 230and a short post 236 mounted on the ramp member.

The forward end of link member 232 is connected through pivot pin 238 toa second crank 240i. The latter in turn is fixed to a rock shaft 242,also journaled in the side walls of ramp member 96.

A chock-actuating plate 244 having an angularly bent upper margin 246 ismounted on rock shaft 242 by means of a fixed sleeve 248.

Chock-actuating plate 244 is mounted immediately adjacent end plate 102of the ramp member. Plate 102 has a central opening 250 and mountsexternally a dashpot or bleeding air cylinder 252. The latter isprovided with an adjustable air release valve 254 and a piston rod 256.The latter extends through opening 250. Its forward end pivotally isconnected to plate 244.

The construction of the latch means used to latch the platform and rampmembers in their elevated positions is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

Each of channel frame members 92 mounts centrally on its outer side facea hook-shaped latch 269. The latch is formed with an upper cam surface262. It pivotally is mounted by pivot shaft 264 to channel member 92 insuch a position that the hook body lies immediately adjacent andsubstantially parallel to post 74. The end of the hook is pressed intosliding engagement with the adjacent surface of the post by means of aspring-pressed piston rod 265.

Shaft 264 extends across the unit and is journaled in channel members92. It operates an identical latch on the far side of the unit.

Centrally of shaft 264, between ramp members 96, there is located asleeve 266. The sleeve is fixed to the shaft and is formed with acentral radial slot 263. A pin 270 is fixed in shaft 264 and extendsradially outwardly through the slot. A control lever 272 is mounted withits forward end Welded to the underside of sleeve 266 and its rearwardend received in a downwardly-oriented friction clip 274 locatedconveniently to the operator at the rearward end of one of ramp members96.

The upper end of each of posts 74 is provided with a transverse latchbar 276 positioned for engagement by latch 260 when the ramp members areelevated.

Operation of the apparatus of FIGS. 7-17 The operation of the apparatusof FIGS. 7-17 is generally similar to that of the apparatus of FIGS.1-6, previously described.

However, as the first vehicle is driven on ramp members 96, it depresseschock plates 210 against the tension of coil spring 234. As soon as thefront wheels have passed over the chock plates, the lattery are returnedto their full line position of FIG. 15 by theV action of the spring.

With the vehicle thus in position and restrained by the chock platesfrom rolling backwardly, the operator pulls central rod 144 rearwardly.This retracts cross link 162, FIG. 8, until it engages adjustable nut176. Continued rearward actuation of the rod turns crank 132, FIG. 16,and rotates valve spool 184 to the position in which conduit 140 leadingfrom the pump connects with conduit 146 leading to lift cylinders 120.

The cylinders are retracted, lifting the ramp members to theintermediate and final dotted line positions of FIG. 7. During thismotion the cam surfaces 262 of latches 260 slide along the adjacentsurfaces of posts '74 and guide the latch hooks over detent bars 276 onplates` 86. This is done against the pressure of spring-pressed pistonunits 265 so that the latches are snapped over the detents and lock theramp members in their elevated position.

A second vehicle then safely may be driven in the space below the first.

When it is desired to unload the unit, the second vehicle first isbacked out. Rod 144 is retracted to actuate cylinders 120 to theirlifting positions. This raises the platform until hooks 260 clear latchbars 276.

Operating lever 272 then is removed from friction clip 274. Upon movingthe lever angularly downwardly it first merely rotates sleeve 266.However, when the angular distance indicated in FIG. has been traversed,pin 270 engages the side wall of slot 268 and shaft 264 is rotated torelease the latches. It is to be noted, however, that if the secondvehicle still were in position beneath the'first, it would not bepossible t0 depress lever 272 sufficiently to achieve this result sincethe lower vehicle would be in the way. This affords an importantsafeguard against premature release of latches 260.

After latches 260 have been released, control lever 144 is pushedinwardly. The first effect of this action is to move cross piece 162forwardly and move the linkages actuating the angular movement of bar163 which sweeps across the arrowed pathway of FIG. 8. This movement isnot possible if a second vehicle is still beneath the first, affording asecond safeguard against premature lowering of the ramp members.

Continued advancement of rod 144 moves cross piece 162 until it engagesstop 130 on link member 178. Crank 182 then is moved counterclockwise asviewed in FIG. 16, turning valve core 184 until conduit 14.6 from thecylinders connects with conduit S to the reservoir. However, since thefiow of uid to the reservoir is restricted by valve 156, recess 202 ispressurized, piston 266 advanced, and ball check 268 seated in detent196. This locks the valve in position so that the operator can attend toother duties during the lowering operation. When the ramp members reachtheir fully lowered position, the pressure condition present in recess202 disappears so that valve spool 184 again can be adjusted to its liftposition.V

When the ramp members are in their fully lowered position, the vehiclestill cannot be backed off because chock plates 218 are in their workingpositions. To render them inoperative, the operator drives the caragainst chock-actuating plates 244. This advances the latter platesagainst end plates 102 of the ramp members and, through the connectinglinkages including link member 232,

lowers the chock plates against the tension of coil spring' 234.

Upon reversing the vehicle, the chock plates do not spring backimmediately to their working positions, be cause of the restrainingeffect of dashpot 252. The car thus may be backed down off the rampmembers during the time interval that the chock plates slowly arereturning to their elevated positions.

Thus there is provided apparatus for parking vehicles in verticallyarranged pairs Which apparatus is simple in construction, easy and safeto operate and suiciently low in cost to be attractive economically.

Having thus described our invention in illustrative ernbodiments, weclaim:

1. Vehicle parking apparatus comprising a base frame, a platform mountedon said frame and dimensioned to receive a vehicle, vertical guide meansmounted on the base frame at the front end of the platform, slide meansmounted on the front end of the platform and being substantially freelymovable for vertical reciprocation in said guide means, reversibleelevating means connected to the platform intermediate its ends, andforwardly of the center of gravity of the vehicle and platform when saidvehicle is located on said platform, for elevating the platform and afirst vehicle thereon to an elevation so that a second vehicle can beparked` beneath the elevated platform, an upper and lower fixed stopmeans defining the upper and lower limits of travel of the front end ofsaid platform, said lower stop means being located a spaced distanceabove the base frame, whereby the platform on being operated by theelevating means is caused to swing about the upper stop means to assumea horizontal position and is caused to abut against the lower stop meansto determine the degree of inclination of the platform at ground level.

2. The vehicle parking apparatus of claim 1 wherein the vertical guidemeans comprises two pairs of spaced channel members and wherein theslide means comprises a pair of slide blocks each dimensioned forreciprocation in the space between the channel members of one pair andeach connected to the platform by a horizontal abutment bar, and eachpair of channel members being interconnected by a pair of verticallyspaced stops positioned for contact by the abutment bar in the loadingand elevated positions of the platform respectively.

3. The vehicle parking apparatus of claim 1 wherein the reversibleelevating means comprise a pair of vertically positioned fluid operatedcylinders positioned one on each side of the platform, above the same,and having elongated piston rods pivotally coupled one to each side ofthe platform.

4. The vehicle parking apparatus of claim 3 including a frame having apair of apertured, transverse members, the fluid operated cylindersbeing freely supported with their respective piston rods each extendingthrough the aperture in one of the transverse members, and convexlyarcuate bearing pads interposed between the cylinder ends and thetransverse members for permitting angular movement of the cylinders withreciprocation of the piston rods between advanced and retracted positiondetermining respectively the loading and elevated positions of theplatform.

5. The vehicle parking apparatus of claim 3 wherein the platform isrecessed and wherein the pivotal means for interconnecting the end ofeach piston rod and the platform comprises bearing means mounted on theend of each piston rod and a transverse pin supported by the side wallsof the recess and journalled in the bearing means.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the platform comprises a horizontalframe including forward and rearward cross members and trough, shapedramp members and including releasable clamp means clamping the rampmembers to the cross frame members to permit the lateral adjustment ofthe ramp members.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 including chock means on 9 the platform forengaging the wheels of the vehicle mounted therein.

8. rlhe apparatus of claim 1 wherein the platform includes a pair oframp members positioned to receive the Vehicle and including chock meansin the ramp members, the chock means comprising a chock plate, a pivotalshaft mounting the plate for angular movement between raised and loweredpositions, resilient means connected to the shaft for normally urgingthe plate to its raised position, and plate-actuating means connected tothe plate for depressing it to its lowerd position when it is desired toremove the vehicle from the ramp members.

9. rhe apparatus of claim wherein the plate-actuating means comprises anactuating plate positioned in the ramp member forwardly of the chockplate, a pivotal shaft mounting the actuating plate for movement betweenraised and lowered positions, link means linking the two plates formovement in unison with each other, and restraining means connected tothe actuating plate for restraining its return movement from the loweredto the raised position.

l0. The apparatus of claim l including latch means positioned relativeto the platform releasably to latch it in the elevated position.

11. The apparatus of claim l including latch means positioned relativeto the platform releasably to latch it in the elevated position, thelatch means comprising a vertical guide post, a spring-pressed hookpivotall-y mounted on the platform adjacent the guide post, the hookhaving a cam surface adapted to slide along the surface of the guidepost as the platform is elevated, detent means in the upper part of theguide post positioned for engagement by the latch means, and latchrelease means connected to the latch means for releasing the latch fromthe detent means.

12. rEhe apparatus of claim lil wherein the latch release meanscomprises: a rock shaft mounting the latch hook,

a radially slotted sleeve rotatable on the rock shaft, a radial pinmounted on the rock shaft and extending through the slot, and anoperating lever fastened to the sleeve, the operatinty lever beingarranged to sweep a collison arc with a second vehicle present in thespace beneath the elevated platform, before actuation of the rock shaftby the pin.

i3. T he apparatus of claim il wherein the reversible elevating meanscomprises: a pair of vertically positioned, fluid operated cylinderspositioned one on each side of the platform, above the same, and havingelongated piston rods pivotally coupled one to each side of theplatform; an hydraulic circuit including the cylinders and containingvalve means for adjusting the cylinders between platformraising andplatform-lowering positions, and lever means connected to the valvelmeans for operating the same.

IA. The apparatus of claim i3 wherein the lever means is arranged totraverse a collision path with a second vehicle present in the spacebeneath the elevated platform, before actuation of -t.e valve means toits platformlowering position.

i5. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the valve means is adjustablebetween positions of platform-raising and platform-lowering andincluding valve control means operative to maintain the valve in itsposition of platformlowering until the platform has been lowered to theground.

References Cited UNETED STATES PATENTS 1,521,990 l/l925 Beynon 214-1 XR1,525,447 2/1925 Hose 2l4-l XR 2,538,517 l/1951 Hayden 187-9 2,545,9533/1951 Hall 214-1 GERALD M. FORLENZA, Primary Examiner.

RAYMOND B. OHNSON, Assistant Examiner.

